Mode of treating photographs and other pictures



UNITED STATES PATENT Orrrceo EZEKIEL O. HAWKINS, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

MODE OF- TREATING PHOTOGRAPHS AND OTHER PICTURES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 18,901, dated December 22, 1857.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, E. C. HAWKINS, of (Jincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and improved mode of finishing heliographic pictures on the front surface of glass tablets in oil or other colors; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

The nature of my invention consists in giving the front surface of a glass tablet which has an image or picture on its back surface a semi-opaque and granular appearance by the application of wax or .varnish, as hereinafter described, to the front surface of the tablet. By this mode of treating the glass tablet an atmospheric relief is produced, which can only be attained by this or a substantially similar operation upon the front surface of the glass; and, besides this effect being produced, a surface is provided upon which the artist can continue to paint backgrounds, draperies, &c., or add additional parts to the portrait, notwithstanding its being in rear of said surface.

The mode or process of accomplishing or carrying out my invention 1 will proceed to describe more minutely, in order that those skilled in the art shall be able to successfully employ it.

The picture or portrait being put on the back side of the glass tablet and finished to the extent possible, after the processes given by Minetti, Dayton, or any others, I begin to employ my invention as follows: The front surface of the glass tablet is coated by flowing varnish over it, and when this varnish becomes dry the whole surface is rubbed over with the fingers untilasemi-opaque and granular effect or appearance is produced, and the gloss of the glass and the refraction caused by the thickness of the glass completely overcome and destroyed to the appearance of the eye. This being done, the artist proceeds to paint, it desirable, on the varnished surface backgrounds, draperies, &c.,or add additional parts to the picture or portrait, which is on the back surface of the tablet. The draperies, &c., being finished and dry, I flow another coat of varnish over the surface, and when this last coat becomes dry rub it down, as at the beginning, so as to break the enamel and give the granular and semi-opaque surface, which imparts to it an atmospheric relief, which can only be attained by this mode of finishing the picture on the front surface of the tablet.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

Giving the front surface of the glass tablet, which has an image or picture finished on its back surface, a semi-opaque and granular appearance, and consequently producing an atmospheric relief and additional painting-sun face, by the application of varnish, wax, or other similar substance to the front surface of the glass tablet, substantially as herein described.

. E. 0. HAWKINS. Witnesses:

T. K. WOMBAUGH, BENJAMIN BOFINGER. 

